State Briefs

Wife argues self-defense in death of ranger

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - An attorney for a woman accused of killing her husband - who served as chief ranger for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism - says her client was acting in self-defense.

Pamela Digman made an initial court appearance Monday morning, about 12 hours after she was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder for the Sunday shooting death of Jerry Digman.

Pulaski County District Judge Wayne Gruber set Pamela Digman's bond at $300,000, and she remained in the Pulaski County jail at midday.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, public defender Betsy Johnston said investigators told her client that the shooting appeared to be in self-defense.

Authorities say Digman worked in the law enforcement division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and was a retired Arkansas state trooper.

Missing teenage girl found safe

VAN BUREN (AP) - Police in Van Buren say a teenage girl missing for more than three months has been found.

The Times Record reports that the 17-year-old girl was found unharmed on Saturday in Van Buren. Details of the girl's recovery were not released - but police said she was unharmed.

The girl had been reported missing in September.

Early voting to start in special election

JONESBORO (AP) - Early voting is set to begin to fill a vacant state Senate seat from northeast Arkansas.

Early voting begins Tuesday in the race between Democrat Steve Rockwell and Republican John Cooper for the District 21 state Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of former Sen. Paul Bookout. Bookout resigned in August after the state Ethics Commission found that he had spent money from his re-election bid on clothing, home theater equipment and dozens of other personal items.

The election is scheduled for Jan. 14.

The Jonesboro Sun reports that early voting will be available through Jan. 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Craighead County Election Annex in Jonesboro and at the courthouse in Lake City.

Judge dismisses civil lawsuit filed against Alamo

TEXARKANA (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Tony Alamo's former wives who alleged they were physically and sexually abused by the evangelist.

U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey didn't rule on the alleged violations in the convicted evangelist's case, but said it should be heard in state court.

The case was scheduled for trial next week in Texarkana. Hickey had set aside seven weeks to try the case, which included dozens of defendants. She said it would be inappropriate to hear the case in federal court, knowing that the case would have to be re-litigated in state court.

Alamo is serving a 175-year prison sentence on sex-related convictions. The victims in Alamo's criminal case are among the plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit dismissed last week.

Ark. Parole Board denies commutation for killers

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - The Arkansas Parole Board has recommended denial of the commutation requests of two convicted killers.

The board said in a news release Monday that it is recommending that the governor not grant the requests of Jamie Bowen and Douglas Harper.

The Arkansas Department of Correction website shows Bowen is serving life in prison for first-degree murder in Lonoke County and that Harper is serving 20 years for first-degree murder and robbery in Columbia County.

Panel to hear testimony on UA advancement audit

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Another legislative committee is set to hear testimony from University of Arkansas officials about overspending in the school's advancement division.

The Legislative Joint Performance Review Committee meets Tuesday and is to hear testimony from six current and former UA officials who are to speak about the $4 million deficit in the university's fundraising division.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Chancellor G. David Gearhart is scheduled to speak, along with finance officer Don Pederson.

The committee is also scheduled to hear from former fundraising division head Brad Choate and former division budget officer Joy Sharp, who both lost their jobs over the deficit. Both were scheduled to testify last month before a different legislative committee, but lawmakers voted to accept the auditors' report without hearing from the former employees.

Classes canceled in north Arkansas due to cold

FAYETTEVILLE (AP) - The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and other schools in north Arkansas are closed Monday because of bitterly cold temperatures.

A wind chill warning is in effect in several north Arkansas counties until noon Monday. The National Weather Service says wind chill values of minus 15 degrees to 25 degrees below zero are possible in areas including Fayetteville, Mountain Home and Harrison.

The spring semester hasn't yet begun at the university in Fayetteville, but some students have classes in the January intersession.

A wind chill advisory is in effect for most of Arkansas, extending as far south as Camden and Monticello. Forecasters say wind chills of 5 degrees below zero to minus 15 degrees are possible.

In Little Rock, the wind chill was minus 2 degrees at 8 a.m. Monday.

Schaffer named veterans home administrator

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - The former co-owner of a South Carolina nursing home has been hired as the new administrator of the Fayetteville Veterans Home.

Kriss Schaffer has the task of turning around a facility cited for several complaints, including a November escape of a patient that resulted in the former administrator being fired.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Schaffer graduated from the University of Arkansas and has 31 years of experience as director of nursing and nursing home administrator in Charleston.

In a news release, Schaffer says he cannot know what is going on with the nursing home's staff without being in there. He says he intends to be there a lot. Schaffer begins work on Wednesday.

Former administrator Sarah Robinson was fired in November following three reportable incidents within a week.

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State Briefs

An attorney for a woman accused of killing her husband ? who served as chief ranger for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism ? says her client was acting in self-defense.